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Buying guide: Choose the best wool mattress for you

Mar 12, 2025
luxury wool mattresses

When you are looking to improve your sleep, we always recommend that you start with your mattress. Natural fibres that provide the best sleeping surface, that will naturally biodegrade at the end of their life are the way to go here. 

Our range of luxury British wool mattresses are made with care in the UK with the finest materials available by our partners at Harrison Spinks - awarded 'bed manufacturer of the year' by the National Bed Federation in 2024.

There's a lot to talk about here.  With a mattress it's always worth putting some time and effort into finding the perfect mattress for you - after all we should be spending around a third of our day on one.  

If you would like some advice from our specialist sleep team, you can drop us an e-mail to hello@floks.co.uk or call into our Yorkshire showroom.

Wool Mattress Materials

Let’s start with the materials that go into our mattresses, as this is what really makes our mattresses special.

What goes into a Floks mattress?

When we started developing our range of mattresses with Harrison Spinks, our main criteria was to find the best natural fillings available.  Harrison Spinks love all things natural as much as we do - so much so that they bought their own farm.  Right here in Yorkshire, they grow their own hemp and flax, as well as rearing their own herd of sheep.  Materials that then only travel 18 miles to make it to the manufacturing site in Leeds.  

We love talking about wool so let’s start here. 

Wool: Traceable and natural

The varieties of wool that we use in our mattresses are British wool, Yorkshire wool, Herdwick wool and Swaledale wool, with a slightly different blend used in each design.  You can have a look at exactly which blend we use on each of our wool mattress pages.

These varieties are all carefully chosen as they are the finest type of wool for mattresses - providing loft, bounce and resilience, as well as being temperature regulating and antimicrobial.

Hemp: Durable and absorbent

Hemp is an incredibly durable and resistant fibre that just so happens to be excellent at absorbing moisture and giving a luxury feel to your mattress. 

Hemps other superpowers include being naturally antibacterial and good for the planet.  Each crop breathes in more carbon out of the atmosphere than it takes to grow and puts more nutrients than any other crop back into the soil.  Oh, and every single bit of the plant is used or transformed into something clever like plaster (yes really!), so there is zero waste.  

Flax: Strong and breathable

If you've ever driven past a field of very pretty blue flowers and wondered what they were, it's likely that they were flax flowers.  The stems of which make natural linen.  Significantly stronger than cotton, flax linen is naturally breathable and absorbent.

Woven fabric: Naturally fire retardant

Fabric weaving is sadly no longer a common thing in the UK - but always looking to go the extra mile, Harrison Spinks invested in some top-notch machinery and a lot of time and effort in building a team with the skills to do it themselves. This makes them the only bed maker in the UK to weave their own mattress fabric.  

Fully able to oversee this process themselves, and by utilising naturally fire-retardant wool, they can ensure that there are no nasty chemicals added to the processing.

We love this UK woven fabric so much that we use it on our luxury deep mattress topper.

Springs: Pressure relieving and perfectly tensioned

If you've got this far, you've probably realised by now that our mattress partner likes to do things their own way.  So yes, naturally, they not only make their own springs on site in Yorkshire, they are also pioneers in spring technology.  Bringing to our mattresses both high density pocket springs that are perfect for pressure relief and Cortec quad springs (a set of four large springs nestled together for superior tension) for the perfect tension and bounce.

What is unique about Floks wool mattresses?

Not all mattresses are created equally.  The benefit of working with a like-minded, passionate manufacturer like Harrison Spinks means that we can bring you a mattress that is truly unique.  Whether that is the number of springs, the blend and quantity of the natural fillings or the turnability and tension.  

Your sleep is our priority, so we will only ever bring you the best mattress that we can, at the best price that we can.  That's why you won't see our mattresses on sale, we offer fair pricing all year round.

Which is the right wool mattress for me?

Now you know what's in them, let’s have a look at which mattress is right for you.

We would always recommend that you try our mattresses out in our Yorkshire showroom, but if that's not possible, make a phone appointment with one of our sleep experts to find your best fit.

Which tension: Regular or firm?

Finding the right mattress tension is key to a good nights’ sleep.  The right mattress tension should allow the spine to gently curve into the mattress so that your hip and shoulder are aligned if you lay on your side. 

Our regular tension mattresses offer good support for the spine if you have no back problems or are of an average build.  If you are of a larger or heavier frame or need an orthopaedic mattress, then the firm mattress tension may suit you. 

The Floks sleep team are trained to help you find the best mattress for you, so please get in touch, we'd love to help.

Split tension or single tension: Perfect for you, or perfect for both of you

All of our mattress sizes come in a single tension option.  You can choose whether you would like your mattress to be in either a regular or firm tension.

If you are looking at our King, Super King or Emperor mattresses you'll notice that you have the option to choose a split tension mattress.  This means that you can choose both a regular and a firm side if you and your sleeping companion prefer a different tension but want to sleep on one mattress.  Just bear in mind that you might have to switch sides when you rotate your mattress!

Zip and link: A great option for access

From King size and up you also have the option to choose a zip and link mattress.  This is two mattresses zipped together in the middle.   Zip and link mattresses are perfect for bedrooms with tricky access, or for customers who may find it difficult to turn and rotate a larger mattress because of its weight. 

We think our Perfectly Floks mattress with a Floksy Topsy mattress enhancer is a great option if you need a zip and link but still want the feeling of being on one mattress.

Turn-able vs. no-turn mattresses: Which one is right for you?

At Floks, we offer both turn able (dual-sided) mattresses and no-turn mattresses, so you can choose the perfect sleep solution for your needs. Here’s what sets them apart:

Turn-able (dual-sided) mattresses: Long-lasting comfort & durability

A turn able mattress is designed with two identical sleeping surfaces, allowing you to flip and rotate it for even wear and a longer lifespan. By alternating sides, you help maintain its structure, support, and comfort over time.

How to care for a turn-able mattress

  • First 12 weeks: Flip and rotate weekly to help it settle evenly.
  • After 12 weeks: Turn seasonally to maintain its shape and support.

If a mattress isn’t fully turn-able, it will need to be rotated rather than flipped to ensure even wear.

Turn-able mattresses in the Floks Range:

Perfectly Floks mattress – Balanced support from 5750 springs, filled with the perfect (if we do say so ourselves) amount of natural materials for a comfortable nights sleep.
Highly Sprung mattress – Superior comfort with a high spring count, generous natural fillings for ultimate support.
Floksy Topsy mattress enhancer – Extra layers of comfort for a plush sleep experience.

These dual-sided designs offer exceptional durability, ensuring your mattress feels just as good years down the line.

No-turn mattress: Effortless comfort & support

A no-turn mattress is a low-maintenance option designed to be rotated rather than flipped, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a simpler sleep solution.

Why choose a no-turn mattress?

  • Ideal for those who want to avoid heavy lifting.
  • Perfect for those who love the plush feel of a Pillow-Top mattress.
  • Designed for minimal upkeep while still maintaining long-term comfort.

With one dedicated sleeping surface, a no-turn mattress delivers effortless relaxation - so you can focus on getting the best night’s sleep, night after night.

No-turn mattresses in the Floks range:

Floks Away mattress – A breathable, handcrafted mattress made from British wool, Yorkshire wool, hemp, and flax.
Pillow Top mattress – Luxuriously plush with an extra layer of soft cushioning for a cloud-like feel.

Which type of mattress is right for you?

  • If you want maximum longevity and even wear, a turn-able mattress is the way to go.
  • If you prefer a hassle-free, low-maintenance option, a no-turn mattress is a perfect choice.

No matter which mattress you choose, every Floks mattress is crafted from natural, sustainable materials, offering superior support, breathability, and comfort - for sleep as nature intended.

 

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